THE NATIVE VILLAGE THAT HID HERNANDO DE SOTO’S FIRST CAMP IN AMERICA

THE FIRST ENCOUNTER AS A POLITICAL CRISIS

For a Native leader, the arrival of de Soto could create a crisis of legitimacy.

If the leader cooperated, some members of the community might accuse him of surrendering too much.

If he resisted, the community could face violence.

If he attempted to deceive the Spanish, discovery could bring punishment.

Every option carried danger.

This is why it is unfair to judge Native leaders from a distance.

They were making decisions without knowing the future.